Music -- Philosophy and aesthetics; Music -- Psychological aspects
During the present century most extraordinary progress has been made in
the provision of musical facilities for youth by the recognition of
music as an academic subject, by the early and vital training in the
grades, by the development of group activities in voice and instrument
as a dominant extracurricular activity, by the motivation of training
through opportunities for public performance and contest, and by the
popularization of music through phonograph and radio.
Up to the end of the past century youth had had no significant
opportunities for music in the scheme of things. Music had to come
through the taking of private lessons, often a drudgery without regard
to likes or dislikes. The approach was purely technical. The mastery of
the scales, though technically significant, was not inspiring to the
emergent musical mind and did not reveal the vast vistas of opportunity
for self-expression in music. Music lessons were limited to those who
could afford to pay for them. Few people had heard any good music. It
had no significant status in the program of public education. Youth had
no chance. _Music for youth has been discovered in the past forty
years._
_Music, an academic subject._ When music gained recognition on a par
with the three R's in primary and elementary education, America entered
on a new era. National music organizations of teachers developed. These
began with the slogan, "Music for every child at public expense."
Realizing the futility of making every child musical, they modified this
slogan to, "Music at public expense for every child in proportion to his
natural ability." The market was flooded with educational music books
and systems. Time for musical training was set aside in the regular
curriculum of the schools. It was recognized that only a person who has
musical ability and training can teach music effectively. Scientific
principles from other subjects were adopted. Specialized training for
musical supervisors was provided in teachers' colleges. Teaching was
improved. Groups of children were segregated into vocal and instrumental
organizations, both for curricular and extracurricular activities.
Instruments were furnished at public expense. Credit for music gained
current coinage on a par with history and chemistry. The introduction of
principles of educational psychology led to selective admission and
elimination and gave the teachers a basis for the administration of
praise or blame in achievement. Few public school subjects can point to
a similar epoch-making stride. These achievements today give youth a
chance in music.
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